Taco Yo is the latest business venture from the owner of Di Nicoâ€™s Pizza, located directly next door. The applicant requested TIF funds for redevelopment work at his new commercial space in the Berwyn Towne Square strip center. The applicant has owned and operated many restaurants in the Chicago area and several in Berwyn, proving to be a valuable asset to the Berwyn community. Taco Yo is a fun, festive, casual neighborhood Mexican restaurant committed to the highest standards and dedicated to serving the freshest Mexican food.

A building long vacant on Cermak Road, known to many as the former National Tire and Battery building, was transformed into Berwynâ€™s first Jimmy Johnâ€™s utilizing TIF funds. Jimmy Johnâ€™s is known for its high-energy environment, upscale stores, and fast/casual gourmet sandwiches. Emphasis is placed on quality and lightning-fast delivery service. A unique feature of this store is the addition of a drive thru, making it one of the few drive-thru Jimmy Johnâ€™s facilities in the region.

The applicant requested TIF funds for redevelopment work at her existing 10,000 square foot commercial space. Womenâ€™s Workout World has been in business at this location since 1990 and currently serves over 7,600 club members. The club expected a 50% increase in membership sales after this remodel based on the experiences of other clubs they own. Along with TIF eligible expenses, the applicant created two new TV commercials, a grand re-opening ad campaign, as well as the purchase of five new treadmills, eight Matrix weight training stations and additional free weight equipment.

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Usa Equilibrium 6306 W. Cermak Road

Usa Equilibrium is a fashion store specializing in womenâ€™s apparel and undergarments. TIF was utilized to install a new awning, signage and lighting to the businessâ€™s storefront.

The building housing Berwynâ€™s Toys and Trains has been on Ogden Avenue for over 50 years. The business was established in 1992. The building is historically significant, with neon lighting and aluminum framing lending to the historic Route 66 look on Ogden Ave. The owners restored the classic aluminum storefront using TIF funding, given that there are very few storefronts left with the Route 66 appeal.

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Illinois Back Institute 7008 W. Cermak Road

Taking over a business started by his grandfather and passed down to his father, the applicant received approval for use of TIF funds for renovation work on his building. A nationally recognized leader in back and neck pain, the applicant has rebranded his fatherâ€™s business and, utilizing his own innovative methods, treated thousands of people who suffer from back pain. TIF funds were used to remove an old awning and sign, and replace storefront windows.

State Farm Insurance 6612 W. Cermak Road

The applicant recently moved his insurance business from just down the road in Cicero to this new Berwyn location. To help put the finishing touches on the move, TIF funds were approved for installation of a new awning, signage and lighting.

The applicant received TIF funds for redevelopment work at her current 2,200 sq. ft. commercial space in Berwynâ€™s Depot District. The business owner has been in business at this location for27 years offering classes in ballet, tap, jazz/hip-hop, lyrical, acrobatics, Mexican folkloric dance, musical theatre, swing dance, Latin dance, ballroom dance, and piano lessons. The repair work was due to weather damage incurred during recent storms and included replacing the roof, repairing interior water damage and a new awning.

The applicants received TIF funds for faĂ§ade improvements at their leased 500 sq. ft. commercial space. The TIF scope of work included awning and signage. Over The Rainbow offers over 35 flavors of hand-packed ice cream featuring Hersheyâ€™s premium, including fat free, sugar-free and dairy-free soy flavors. The applicants have been in business in the Depot District since2006 and have one full-time and two part-time employees.

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Cermak Streetscape/Vacin Fairway Improvements

With the Cermak TIF district coming to a close in 2010, the City wanted to insure the improvements to the streetscape would last for years to come. To accomplish this, they replaced the paver bricks along the street while including a concrete base so the bricks wouldnâ€™t shift over time. Several inappropriate street trees were removed and replaced. New benches, trash receptacles and signage were installed. The City repaved the parking area just north of Cermak Road, also known as the Vacin Fairway. Finally, the City repositioned all of the planters and planter beds to their original design. The final product is a streetscape that will ensure years of use.